2024 Bookshelf
As the year draws to a close, I thought reflecting on the books I've immersed myself in this year would be interesting. I want to remember what I’ve read and see if there are any overarching themes worth considering further and carrying into the coming year.
While this year’s readings have included a mix of genres, authors, and ideas, three overarching themes have surfaced.
Sci-fi thrillers, especially those with interconnected timelines, have been my go-to when I want to escape or read for fun. I enjoy seeing how disparate things come together in unexpected ways.
Everyone is being formed by something. The question is not whether or not I’m being formed; it’s “what I'm being formed by?” How might I practice more spiritual discipline to ensure the right things form me?
There is power (and magic) in connecting with people and their needs through emotion. Irrational thinking needs to balance the logic and data mindset imposed on humanity by the reliance on technology and the rise of AI.
Without further ado, here are the books that made up my 2024…
Recursion
Blake Crouch
As a massive fan of his previous book, Dark Matter, I was excited to read another thriller from Crouch. Recursion explores the concept of memories as a means of altering reality. The story follows detective Barry Sutton as he confronts a powerful technology capable of changing the past, leading to a world destabilized by overlapping and rewritten timelines.
★★★★
Culture Code
Daniel Coyle
This book has been on my to-read list as long as it’s been out. When it finally became available at the library, I jumped at the chance to read it. Within, Coyle outlines three core principles: building safety to create an environment of trust, sharing vulnerability to deepen cooperation, and establishing purpose through a shared narrative. A great reminder that culture is a synonym for relationships.
“Vulnerability doesn’t come after trust—it precedes it. Leaping into the unknown, when done alongside others, causes the solid ground of trust to materialize beneath our feet.”
★★★★
Naked Sales
Ashley Welch & Justin Jones
I read this over a single weekend—not because it’s short, which it is, but because it hit all the right notes. The book challenges typical sales efforts by emphasizing a human-centered approach through design thinking. It advocates focusing on deep customer empathy, open-ended exploration, and iterative problem-solving to build genuine relationships and tailor solutions that meet client needs.
Filled with real-world examples (almost annoyingly so as they only focus on a very small sample of companies), I’d recommend this book to anyone in a client-facing role. If you want to know more, check out Somersault Innovation, where they teach these practices.
★★★★★
Trust
Hernan Diaz
Over the summer, I visited the Biltmore House and was captivated by the era in which George Washington Vanderbilt lived. Thanks to colleagues Kelsy Spaeth and Grace Herndon for the recommendation, which was set in a similar era.
Trust is a multi-layered novel that explores themes of wealth, power, and truth through an interconnected narrative. Centered around a mysterious financier and his wife in early 20th-century New York, the story examines how their lives are interpreted and rewritten through various lenses, from memoirs to gossip. The novel questions the reliability of storytelling and exposes how history can be manipulated by those who wield influence.
★★★★
Sea of Tranquility
Emily St. John Mandel
As you may be able to tell, I love books that involve interconnected narratives and timelines, so I was excited to get my hands on this novel as it weaves together time travel, love, and existential reflection through interconnected narratives spanning centuries. The story follows characters from different time periods, including an early 20th-century English exile, a modern-day author, and a detective from the far future, as they uncover a mysterious anomaly that links their lives.
It was a quick read—yes because it was engaging, and also, it was my first in large print.
★★★★
Emotion by Design
Greg Hoffman
A lifelong Nike enthusiast, I’m always anxious to get a peek behind the curtain of one of my favorite brands. Hoffman, who spent his entire career at Nike, beginning as a design intern and exiting as CMO, offers insights into how brands can build deeper connections with audiences by harnessing the power of creativity and emotion—just like Nike. He shares lessons on storytelling, brand identity, and innovation that inspire loyalty and resonate with consumers emotionally. However, I was a little disappointed that nothing Hoffman suggested was groundbreaking—and maybe even a little self-indulgent. What’s groundbreaking is that Nike has built their culture to allow for emotion, innovation, and creativity to shine through vs. companies who operate on data, spreadsheets, and “how it’s always been done.”
“It’s important for a brand to be human.” … By being human, you can leave a legacy, not just a memory.
“Hold the smallest detail to the highest standard.”
★★★
Practicing the Way
John Mark Comer
Claiming to be a Jesus-follower today can mean many different things. Beyond labels, political parties, and denominations, I wanted to get back to the root of what it means. Comer argues that following Jesus' teachings is more than belief, words, or labels; it's about living intentionally through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, rest, and community. His book provides inspiration for integrating these practices into a daily routine and fostering a more grounded, fulfilling, and spiritually connected existence.
“To "remind yourself that you are going to die" is to remind yourself to live for your eulogy, not your résumé. It's to not waste your precious, fleeting time here but to focus on what matters in the grand scheme of eternity - becoming a person of love through union with Jesus.”
★★★★★
Upgrade
Blake Crouch
Yes…I’m hooked. It’s another sci-fi thriller by Crouch. This time he explores themes of genetic engineering, identity, and morality. The story follows Logan Ramsay, an agent whose DNA is forcibly altered, granting him heightened intelligence and physical abilities, which draws him into a world of ethical dilemmas and danger. As Logan uncovers a conspiracy that threatens humanity's future, he faces tough decisions about power, responsibility, and the essence of being human.
While not as enthralling as his two previous novels, Dark Matter and Recursion, it was a great vacation read.
★★★
The Song of Significance
Seth Godin
Godin explores the future of work and the need for a shift toward meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Godin argues that traditional models focused on efficiency and control are outdated and must be replaced with environments where individuals are valued, creativity is nurtured, and work has a purpose. He offers insights and strategies for leaders to build teams that thrive on connection, contribution, and shared significance, ultimately fostering a more impactful and fulfilling work culture.
While there were many good individual nuggets, the format of many short “chapters” tripped me up, leaving me feeling a bit disconnected from the book's overarching narrative and points.
★★★
Jesus and John Wayne
Kristen Kobez Du Mez
Sadly, “Christian” and “evangelical” have become loaded, polarizing terms today. How does that align with the Jesus of the Bible? Du Mez offers a critical examination of how American evangelicalism has intertwined itself with ideals of militant masculinity and patriarchy.
The book traces historical and cultural shifts, revealing how religious leaders and media have shaped a vision of manhood that prioritizes power, aggression, and dominance, often at odds with traditional Christian teachings. Du Mez argues that this fusion has profoundly affected politics and the broader cultural landscape of the United States.
★★★★
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Claire North
The book follows Harry August, a man who is repeatedly born into the same life, retaining the memories of his past lives. As Harry lives through his existence repeatedly, he discovers a hidden society of others like him. He learns that they can influence the future, but only within the confines of their own lifetimes. When a fellow person with this ability begins to manipulate history for destructive purposes, Harry must find a way to stop them and preserve the future while grappling with the implications of living multiple lives.
★★★★
Design for the Real World
Victor Papanek
This seminal work critiques the design profession's focus on aesthetics and commercialism, urging designers to consider social responsibility and society's needs. Papanek advocates for designing products and systems that serve human welfare, environmental sustainability, and ethical values rather than merely catering to consumerism. The book challenges designers to prioritize functionality, accessibility, and ecological impact in their work, ultimately reshaping the role of design in creating a better world. Even though it was penned in the 70s, it feels as relevant and poignant as it did back then.
★★★★
Alchemy: The Dark Art of Creating Magic and Curious Science in Brands, Business, and Life
Rory Sutherland
I was first exposed to Sutherland through his Behavioral Scientist article Are We Too Impatient to be Intelligent? After nodding in agreement throughout the entire article, I had to hear more.
If you’ve been around business leaders for a while, you know most of them approach problems logically. However, thinking logically doesn’t represent how humans make decisions and prevents transformational ideas from getting off the ground.
Sutherland explores the power of unconventional thinking in solving business, marketing, and societal challenges. Sutherland argues that human behavior often defies logic and that embracing creative, "irrational" solutions can lead to innovative breakthroughs and greater success. Drawing on psychology, behavioral economics, and real-world examples, he demonstrates how small changes in perspective can lead to remarkable results in design, communication, and decision-making.
★★★★
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin
I wrapped the year with a lighter read which was perfect to pick up at any time and escape a busy holiday season.
Zevin tells a poignant story of friendship, creativity, and ambition. It follows the lives of Sadie Green and Sam Masur, two childhood friends who reconnect in college and collaborate to create groundbreaking video games. Their partnership spans decades, navigating the complexities of love, loss, and artistic rivalry while building a legacy that reshapes their industry. The novel beautifully explores the transformative power of art and human connection.
★★★★
On to 2025—what’s on your reading list?